Letters to the Editor for Jan. 31, 2013

Voting with their feetPhil Mickelson has been attacked by the envious and liberal sports media since having the temerity to complain about a tax rate of 62 percent.California resident Phil just had his state and federal taxes raised starting January 2013. He speculated about moving to get better tax rates.You would think that he was committing treason for suggesting such a thing. Then beaten into submission by the media, he apologized for making the comment.AP sports columnist Tim Dahlberg penned a commentary giving many suggestions to Mr. Mickelson on how he could cut back to be able to pay higher taxes. He suggested it was poor taste for a rich person to complain about paying high taxes.My question to Mr. Dahlberg and others attacking Phil is, what gives governments the right to well over half of anyone's income? States like California and New York with liberal tax-and-spend policies have seen a mass exodus of people and businesses, while states like Texas, Nevada and Florida have had an influx of people and businesses because of their responsible government policies that lead to lower taxes.Our federal government should take note of people voting with their feet. Its policies are in lockstep with California and New York. High spending, more regulation, higher taxes and less freedom. People will soon be moving to countries with more freedom and lower taxes.Thomas AltonOcala

Poor PhilHey Mitt Romney, you should have stayed in California. One of your public supporters, Phil Mickelson, is trying to explain why he can't seem to live on $46 million a year. Your kind of 1 percenter.Except he made the mistake of saying it publicly rather than in a "quiet room" where rich guys go to complain about how hard their life is and how the rest of us are ruining things for them.Alan LevinOcala

Historical knowledgeThis is in response to the Other Voices, "Exposing Kuhn saved us bigger headaches" (Jan. 27). I agree. But the writer claims to have historical knowledge as to the candidates who ran for sheriff and of the Kuhn investigation itself. Why is it now that he feels he should give an opinion regarding these matters?Instead, he should plead the Fifth, as he has more than a historical knowledge. What he's done with this article is opened a can of suspicion for all female employees by adding his comments about the investigation results. Whether Kuhn's indiscretions were with other employees or not, the writer's statements will now shadow the female employees of the Marion County Sheriff's Office. The female employees already face a difficult role and now the back-door comments have already started.It is common knowledge that the writer has been retired from the Sheriff's Office and has been on the payroll while under the cloak of a "contract" employee. So now we know that he has institutional knowledge of the department as well.Many would claim that to have institutional knowledge, one would have at least gained some wisdom. It appears that the only wisdom the writer gained is to be loyal to the almighty dollar ... and whomever provides it.He is a 30-year sheriff's veteran and now a private investigator with an office within the Sheriff's Office, and he didn't know what was going on with Kuhn? Or did he not expose the scandalous behavior because the previous administration had him on the payroll?So what is on his agenda now? Kiss the ring of whomever signs your paycheck? Can I make a suggestion? Why don't the writer adjust his moral compass and stand up for what is ethical all the time, not just at his convenience.Robert PascaleOcala

Run-over rulesI read the letter, "Shores code epidemic," concerning conditions in Silver Springs Shores and can say to the writer that she is not the only one.In Oak Run we have 25 mph and 30 mph speed limits posted on our streets and boulevards, but if you go the speed limit you have a good chance of getting run over.There are signs posted along the boulevard "No pedestrian traffic" but people disregard the signs.We have building codes and restrictions, but they are not enforced.I live on a street where there is a curve at my house. In the past year my light post and mailbox have been hit three times. The last time it was hit I called security three times before I got a response. When they did call, I was told it was not their problem but they would send someone around to check on it. It has been two weeks and I'm still waiting for someone to show up.We have a lot of good people in Oak Run who follow the rules, but we have a lot who don't. The problem is we have rules and regulations but no one to enforce them.Don SteinourOak Run

An answer to empty seatsThe Marion Theater has a major problem, which is parking. The theatre is beautiful and comfortable, but try to park anywhere around by the theatre during the day Monday through Friday with only two-hour parking allowed — except right behind the theatre, which is normally full of vehicles which don't belong there.We have stopped going there because of the parking problem. Even at night it's a problem. Older folks don't want to walk a long way to get to the theater.R. HackbarthSummerfield